The Sydney Swans are left reeling at 0-4 after losing to the West Coast Eagles by 26 points on Thursday night.
Final score
West Coast Eagles 91
Sydney Swans 65
The beleaguered Sydney Swans travel across the country to tackle the West Coast Eagles, as they attempt to jolt their 2017 campaign with a maiden victory on Thursday night football. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:10pm (AEST).
The Sydney Swans sit sixteenth on the ladder and remain winless after three rounds of the season.
Since the inception of the top eight in 1994, only six teams have made the finals after dropping to 0-3, one of which was Carlton in 2013 after Essendon was barred due to the supplements saga.
Last year’s grand finalists are in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory.
In Round 1, the Swans were jumped by a resurgent Power outfit, before being overrun by the reigning Premiers in Round 2.
Facing an under-pressure Collingwood team at the SCG with the backdrop of Buddy Franklin celebrating his 250th game, Sydney were expected to right the ship and get their season back on track.
Instead, a composed finish from Will Hoskin-Elliot saw the Swans felled by the cruellest of margins.
Hampered by injuries, John Longmire has been forced to play a more youthful and inexperienced squad which has been unable to close out games – despite being in winning positons against both the Bulldogs and the Pies.
Sydney are now desperate for a win against old rivals West Coast and will need to cause an upset in the Eagles backyard to register a maiden victory.
However, the Swans maybe getting the Eagles at the right time.
Coming off a taxing loss to Richmond in sodden conditions at the MCG, West Coast have only had a five-day break to recuperate. Facing another draining contest against a notoriously hardnosed contested ball team like the Swans, the Eagles may feel the pinch late in the game.
Furthermore, unlike most clubs who travel west, Domain Stadium should hold no fears for Sydney – who have won five of the last six contests in Perth.
Despite the Eagles being exploited for a lack of foot speed in their loss to the Tigers, explosive wingman and former Swan Lewis Jetta has been dropped after a mediocre start to 2017. Fellow midfielder Mark Hutchings has also faced the axe as Sam Butler and Liam Duggan make their way into the team.
For Sydney, forward Tom Papley returns for the Swans after suffering a knee injury in the pre-season along with Harry Cunningham.
First gamer Jordan Dawson has been dropped, while ruckman Sam Naismith will miss due to a knee injury suffered against Collingwood last week.
Prediction
Last week’s loss against Richmond has thrown into question the legitimacy of West Coast’s premiership aspirations, but a strong showing against Sydney on a short turn around would quell the doubters.
Sydney have never lost four matches in a row in John Longmire’s tenure as coach and although the ladder shows tonight’s clash as sixth versus 16th, expect a very tight match.
The midfield battle between Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell versus Josh P Kennedy and Dan Hannebery shapes to be a salivating contest, and could play a pivotal role in deciding the match.
But the Eagles potent forward line, spearheaded by two-time Coleman medallist Josh J Kennedy may prove too much for the Sydney defence to handle.
West Coast by 14 points.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, live from Domain Stadium starting from 8:10pm (AEST).
Lroy
Guest
The only reason we arent talking about travel as an issue is because the Eagles have won. Its almost like a bonus 4 points as I think pre season most people would have penciled this in as a loss. Eagles lost 3 of first 4 from memory in 2016, including a flogging at the SCG from the Swans, so this is a very important win for them.
dylillama
Roar Rookie
You completely missed florent being cleaned up with out a free, and grundy being called for, I don't know here, maybe running toward the ball?, but yeah sure. Allirs mistake was the big one here
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Sydney 23 Eagles 16 at full time
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Cheers AD. Yep thought something specail could happen when the Swans reduced it to 6, but credit to the Eagles for snuffing out their challenge.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
After a disappointing loss to the Tigers last week, the West Coast Eagles have bounced back with a hard fought 26-point victory over modern day rivals Sydney in a tight and scrappy contest. It was a brutal contest from the start, as both teams brought manic pressure around the ball. Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn typified the intent of his team, laying a firm but fair hip and shoulder on Lance Franklin. Despite playing out the rest of the match, the collision shook the Swans superstar as he laboured through the remainder of the match lacking his trademark explosiveness. In a painful night for ex Hawks stars, Sam Mitchell was lucky to escape unscathed after wearing an accidental kick on the shins from teammate Jack Redden. Mitchell was assessed of the ground but returned to play out the match. West Coast failed to capitalise on a dominant second quarter in which they had 16 inside 50’s to Sydney’s 7. Although the Eagles doubled the Swans shots on goal (14-7), like last week inaccuracy once again hampered their efforts to form a substantial lead, as they head into the major break with a two-goal buffer. The Eagles opened the second half with renewed vigour and looked to put the Swans away, carving out a 24-point lead on the back of a strong performance from Elliot Yeo (29 disposals) in the midfield. Led by skipper Josh P. Kennedy (33 disposals) the young Swans refused to yield however, narrowing the game back to 6 points early in the fourth. With momentum on their side and the Eagles coming off a five-day turnaround, Sydney threatened to breakthrough for their first win of 2017. But a superb conversion from Luke Shuey (30 disposals, 1 goal) spurred the Eagles to kick the next four goals of the match to close the game. While not a pretty win, West Coast should take a lot from this victory having dropped five of the past six matches to the Swans in Perth. An already potent Eagles forward line may have also discovered a new weapon, with All Australian defender Jeremy McGovern filling in admirably for the injured Jack Darling. On the other hand, the Swans will be left to rue another match in which they were competitive but ultimately came up short. Now at 0-4, Sydney will have battle against history to make it back to the post season with North Melbourne last achieving the feat in 1975. The road to the Finals only gets tougher for the Swans as they host premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney next week.
dave
Guest
What was the free kick count? And what was it at 3 Quarter time? I'm not suggesting it effected the result,just curious.
XI
Roar Guru
If you had to pick one player to lose his ability to play professional football, Sam Mitchell would be #1 on most people's lists.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
... that was a rubbish rendition of their song by the West Coast boys just then. You had a good win; where's the passion guys?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Pretty 'meh' game in the end. Nothing special. Cheers for the call all the same, Kishan.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Personally I didn't see it G_G. Too many turnovers in the back half probably was the difference in the match not Longmire's coaching in my opinion.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Cheers Rick. You're probably right that the 5 day break didn't have that much of an effect this early in the season.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'm disappointed in myself — was sure that was going to be a 45 point win. What did we learn from this everyone? 5 day breaks don't mean much after 3 rounds of footy — Coasters kicked away easily in the last 10 minutes. Probably should have won by plenty more. Thanks for the call Kishan.
Grassy_Grounds
Roar Rookie
Anyone else think Longmire's body language was poor from early in the 3rd quarter onwards?
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Siren sounds. Very solid win for the Eagles against a team that has had the wood over them recently. The Swans challenged early in the 4th quarter reducing the margin to 6 points, but like a potential finals side should, West Coast responded strongly to run out 26 point winners. For the Swans the road to the finals has just got a lot harder with the Giants looming next week. This is also the first time the Swans have lost 4 in a row with John Longmire as coach. FINAL SCORE West Coast Eagles 13.13 (91) Sydney Swans 10.5 (65)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Neat goal from Sam Reid, who is able to gather the ball at ground level and create enough space to kick a consolation for the Swans. Just a 1:31 remaining. GOAL SYDNEY West Coast Eagles 13.13 (91) Sydney Swans 10.5 (65)
Lroy
Guest
Eagles forward line looks way better with the Guv up forward.. Schofields had a good game down back.. Hard to make a case for Darling to return to be honest. Eagles should be pleased with this, Swans have been a bogey team for them, so good result.
Grassy_Grounds
Roar Rookie
If by 'most fans' you mean yourself and some other supporters that total less than 1% then yes I guess you're right, but to put it more simply: WRONG!
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's the cherry on top for the Eagles. Cripps makes no mistake after receiving a 50m penalty. GOAL WEST COAST West Coast Eagles 13.13 (91) Sydney Swans 9.5 (59)
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Geez Kieran Jack's been poor tonight. Well, all season really. If Heeney is getting close to playing that would be an obvious swap.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Great last five minutes from the Eagles to seal this game. With just a tick over 3 minutes remaining the Swans will start their season 0-4.